Budget tips

Any smart bargainer knows to never pass up a good sale! Of course, this rule of thumb also applies to buying food and other groceries from the supermarket. Entire television shows and websites have been devoted to a new phenomenon known as "extreme couponing." Take these ten tips to ensure a successful grocery store trip!

1.) Take advantage of BOGO sales. Buy One, Get One specials are a fantastic way to purchase extras of items that you planned on purchasing anyway. Stock up on your favorites, and save lots of cash!

2.) Purchase your favorite dry groceries and freezer-friendly items in bulk. Just like with tip number one, it is a great idea to stock up on items that you use all the time. You will not only save money, but also will not have to go to the grocery store as often.

3.) Check out as many sources of coupons as you have access to -- this includes all of your local newspapers and websites such as RetailMeNot. Many applications for Android and iPhone exist, including The Coupons App, Groupon, Coupons.com and CardStar.

4.) Look into grocery delivery options, such as Amazon Pantry (available for Amazon Prime members). This is a way to buy in bulk with guaranteed two-day shipping for members.

5.) Keep track of how much the items you purchase usually cost at the stores which you frequent. This will help you to spot a good sale price when you see one (and show you when a sale is not actually that great of a deal).

6.) Utilize a coupon "organization system." Some examples include sheet protectors in a binder -- with tabs organized by store -- or baseball card holders. You can also organize them in any order you like: category, expiration date, etc.

7.) Avoid going to the store right after work or during the weekend, if possible. This may not save you any money, but it will make for a stress-free shopping experience.

8.) Find some spare time to perfect the art of couponing, so that you can master the craft. Your efforts will certainly pay off in the long-run. Spend a couple minutes couponing during breakfast, on your lunch break, or perhaps before bed.

9.) Buy store brands. Typically, these cost significantly less (and taste the same, or even better!) than name brands.

10.) Don't buy something just because it is a low-price or on sale. If you are not a fan of rice, but it is fifty cents a bag -- use that fifty cents toward something else.